HEDIS Releases 35 New Measures for ACOs

HEDIS has released 35 new technical specifications for ACOs for 2013, detailed guidance that will help ACOs collect and report their quality performance in standardized ways, according to the NCQA, which published the measures.

The 35 measures for ACOs are precise and should be valuable to payors and patients across the country, says the NCQA. The technical specifications help ACOs define populations for ACO measurement, follow appropriate sampling and data collection methods and report ACO performance to NCQA. All ACOs are eligible to submit measure results, which will enable NCQA to create performance benchmarks and track ACO improvement over time.

To maximize accreditation’s usefulness for a variety of ACOs and ACO partners, the NCQA program:

Uses three levels of accreditation to signify differing levels of ACO readiness and capability.

These technical specifications for ACO measures are the latest example in NCQA’s 22-year history of creating and maintaining provider quality measures. NCQA’s ACO Accreditation program debuted in November 2011 and is a roadmap for provider-led organizations to demonstrate their ability to reach the Triple Aim: reduce cost, improve quality and enhance the patient experience.

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